Stepping into the world of advanced jewellery-making requires a lot of patience and a deeper understanding of the intricacies that come along with perfecting your designs, especially when it comes to the different types of polishing compounds and the jewellery polishing process.
Polishing compounds, jeweller’s rouge, buffing wheels and mops – there’s so much to discover as part of the jewellery polishing process. To help you to understand more about buffing, polishing and finishing your jewellery to a high standard we have created tips on using jewellery polishing compounds and the polishing process
How to use polishing compounds
Polishing compounds can be difficult to perfect, to help with this process we have created a comprehensive guide about different types and uses of buffing wheels and polishing mops, including tips on how to use our best polishing compounds and buffing wheels, along with our easy-to-use buffing compound colour chart.
Choosing the right polishing compound for your work
When it comes to choosing the best polishing compound, it’s best to think of it in the same way as sandpaper, moving from the coarsest to the finest as you work through the buffing and polishing process. However, with the number of polishing compounds available, it can be difficult to know where to start.
To help you get to grips with using jewellery polishing compounds, we’ve put together this handy polishing compound chart. This chart will help you assess which jewellery polishing compound you need when you’re working with different types of metal.
Phase one. Cut buffing with coarse polishing compounds to remove scratches
| Which metal are you working with? | Black Aggressive polishing compound for the first stages of scratch removal | Brown Second stage or for first stage use when your metal is not scratched | White Finer than brown and coarser than green |
| Silver / Plated | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Brass | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Copper | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Gold | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Iron / Steel | ✔ | ||
| Nickel | ✔ | ||
| Pewter | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Platinum | ✔ | ||
| Aluminium | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Nickel / Chrome Plated | |||
| Brass / Copper Plate | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Stainless Steel | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Phase two. Polishing with finer compounds for a professional shine
| Which metal are you working with? | Green Great for bright polishing of harder alloys | Red Often known as jeweller’s rouge, an excellent all-round finishing compound | Blue All-purpose compound for final polishing of all types of metal |
| Silver / Plated | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Brass | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Copper | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Gold | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Iron / Steel | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Nickel | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Pewter | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Platinum | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Aluminium | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Nickel / Chrome Plated | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Brass / Copper Plate | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Stainless Steel | ✔ | ✔ |
We’ve also made this information available in this handy downloadable polishing compound chart.
Jewellery polishing guides and tips
Now you know how to choose the right polishing compound, here are some more advanced guides on how to use jewellery polishing compounds, mops and buffing wheels effectively, helping you perfect your production.
Different Types of Buffing Wheels & Polishing Mops
How To Use Polishing Compounds
Polishing Compounds and Equipment
Looking to stock up on the best polishing compounds and buffing mops? Find everything you need for your own jewellery polishing process in our current polishing compounds selection.
With this expert advice, you’ll soon be on your way to perfecting your latest precious metal designs with a professional and polished finish to be proud of. Enjoy creating!
Cooksongold